World History Unit 1Human Origins

Mrs. Saunders, Mrs.TolandAnd

Mr. SanGivanni

World history is the story of human experience.

It is a story of how people, ideas, and goods spread across the earth creating our past and our present. To help us better understand this experience, we will divide history into four main eras:

1. prehistory, 2. ancient times, 3. middle ages, and 4. modern times.

Our story begins during prehistory in east Africa where human life began.

Archaeologist Pre-History is the time before writing. Archaeologist study these early people by

excavating early settlements (known as a Dig).

They look for:• Bones or human remains (to determine what

people looked like), • Artifacts (man-made objects) and • Fossils (animal and plant matter that has been

preserved in nature. Archaeologist use Carbon-dating to tell the

approximate age of a bone, artifact or fossil.

Anthropologists

Anthropologist study the culture of early people to get a picture of how they lived.

Culture is the way in which people live, including art, science, religion, government, etc.

Ice Ages – Asia, North America, and EuropeLast one ended about 10,000 years ago.

Ice Ages Land Bridges formed from lower ocean

levels and humans migrated across bridges• Europe to British Isles• Japan to Korea• Asia to Indonesia• Asia to North America (Bering Strait)

A map showing the Bering Strait land bridge. Archaeologists now believe that two different groups of Asian peoples came to North America at least 40,000 years ago.

First Humans Came from Africa

Why were they nomadic?(moving from place to place) • Need for food • Growth of Groups • Weather• Migration of animals

Homo sapiens migrated from Africa to Eurasia, Australia, and the Americas.

Early Humans Hominids are the earliest humans

(or human-like creatures) to walk upright.• Australopithecus (southern ape) was a

hominid that lived 4 to 1 million years ago and lived in nomadic clans.

A trail of footprints 3 1/2 million years old found by Mary Leakey, archaeologist, at Laetoli, Tanzania. Some of the oldest hominid evidence found in Africa, these footprints show that human-like creatures were walking upright in East Africa 3 1/2 million years ago.

AUSTRALOPITHECINE

4 million-1 million BC

South & East Africa Brain Size: 500 cm3 First humanlike

creature to walk upright

Opposable thumb

Early Humans Oldest hominid found is “Lucy” discovered

by anthropologist Donald Johanson in East Africa.

Early hominids had opposable thumbs.

Humans Overcome Their Environment

Paleolithic Era (Old Stone Age)• 2.5 B.C to 8000 B.C.• Nomadic• Simple tools (rocks or sticks)• Learned how to make fire• Lived in clans• Developed oral language• Created cave art

Early Humans Homo Habilis (Handy Man) lived 2.5 million year ago and used simple tools.

Homo Habilis

2.5 million- 1.5 million BC

East Africa Brain Size: 700 cm3

First to make stone tools

Early Humans Homo Erectus lived from 1.6 million to 250,000 years ago. These people were more than five feet tall and probably had oral (spoken) languages for exchanging ideas (teaching) and team work.

• They used fire for warmth, cooking, protection and hunting. • They used tools for cutting, digging and scraping. • They used skins for clothing and leather strips for lacing.

Homo Erectus

1.6 million-30,000 BC Africa, Asia, Europe Brain Size: 1,000cm3

Developed technology, such as applying tools to meet their needs

First to migrate First to use fire May have used

language

1.6 million-30,000 BCAfrica, Asia, EuropeBrain Size: 1,000cm3

Developed technology, such as applying tools to meet their needsFirst to migrateFirst to use fireMay have used language

Early Humans Homo Sapiens (Wise Man) emerges in Africa between 100,000 and 400,000 years ago in North Africa.

• Neanderthals lived from 100,000 to 35,000 years ago and their burial remains indicate a belief in an afterlife (grave with flowers) and medical care of sick (mended broken bones). They were short and stocky with thick brows.

NEANDERTHAL

200,000-30,000 BC Europe and SW Asia Brain Size: 1,450 cm3

First to have burial rites

Religious beliefs

Early HumansCro-Magnon Man lived from 40,000 to 10,000 years ago, in the late Paleolithic age, and was similar to modern humans. They were taller and thinner than Neanderthals. Cro-Magnon man used superior hunting strategies and had advanced language skills. (Our Ancestors!)

CRO-MAGNON 40,000-8,000 BC Europe Brain Size: 1,400

cm3

Fully modern humans

Created art Planned hunts and

studied animal habits

Advanced language

The reconstructed skulls of three prehistoric humans. From left to right: Homo Erectus, Neanderthal, and Cro-Magnon.

Early Humans

COMPARISON OF BRAIN SIZE

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

1400

1600

Australopithecine

HomoErectus

ModernMan

Skull Size

Australopithecine Homo Erectus Homo Sapiens

Human Migration

From Africa humans spread to Eurasia (Europe and Asia), to Australia, and finally to the Americas. Human migration was one of the great waves of history.

1. How does the map show human migration?2. What theory of the origin of humanity does the map present? How do you know?3. In general, what does the map suggest that populations did when they reached

barriers, such as oceans, that did not allow them to continue in the direction they were going?

STONE AGEPaleolithic or Old Stone Age

Includes Ice AgeHunters & Gathers

Migrated in search of food, water, and shelter Invented the first tools and simple weapons Learned how to make fire Lived in clans and created cave art Developed oral language

Neolithic or New Stone AgeNeo means new

Early Human societies, through the development of culture, began the process of overcoming the limits set by the physical environment.

Neolithic Era

During most of history, most humans made their living by hunting and gathering (women mostly gathered). By the end of this time period, Cro-Magnon man had developed art (Jewelry, sculptures, and cave paintings) and complex tools. Some complex tools used were knives, throwing spears, fish hooks, harpoons and sewing needle. Because of improved tools, Cro-Magnon man had improved health and increased food supply, both of which led to increased population.

Neolithic RevolutionThen about 10,000 years ago people in the Middle East learned how to raise a wild wheat plant, and agriculture (farming and raising livestock) was born -- another big wave of history. Some of the causes of the Neolithic Revolution, or the start of settled agriculture, are a warmer climate and longer growing season. The result is the development of permanent settlements or communities.

The Neolithic Revolution

Early man lived in groups of 2 to 3 dozen people. Men did the hunting. Women gathered fruit, berries, roots, and grasses. The scattering of seeds, about 10,000 years ago, led to the Neolithic

Revolution, in other words, agriculture. At first they used slash and burn farming-people cut and burn trees to clear land.

Ashes act as fertilizer. The did not stay in one place for a long time, but moved on after a few seasons.

Domestication of Plants and Animals

At about the same time, people began to domesticate wild animals, raising them for food and as a source of power that could pull wagons and plows. The dog was the first animal tamed, followed by the goat, horse and pig.(Pastoral Nomad – wandering herders of goats and sheep.)

Agricultural originally developed in Africa, China, India, Mesopotamia and Americas (Central and South).

Neolithic RevolutionAgriculture and irrigation began in an area of the Middle East called the Fertile Crescent that stretched from Iraq to Egypt.

Agriculture is believed to have been started 9000 years ago in Jarmo, an archeological site in the Zargros mountains in North East Iraq.

Neolithic Revolution

In the agricultural village of Catal Huyuk (Catalhoyuk)in south central Turkey there is evidence of crops (wheat, barley and peas) and animals (sheep and cattle). The people of Catal Huyuk believed in a Mother Goddess who controlled crop yields.With permanent homes, people could collect more possessions, which encouraged the invention of new technologies such as pottery making and looms for weaving cloth.

CATAL HUYUK EXCAVATION

CATAL HUYUK EXCAVATION

Catal Huyuk is an example of a Neolithic settlement currently under excavation in Anatolia- Modern day Turkey

Agricultural Surplus

Because agriculture could support more people per square mile than hunting and gathering, human population increased from about two million people during the early Stone Age to about 60 million during the late Stone Age.

Farmers learned to grow more food than they needed for their own use, resulting in a surplus. Farmers increased food production through irrigation which allowed for the cultivation of more land and technology such as the plow and potters wheel.

NEOLITHIC REVOLUTION

TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCES

PLOW

WHEEL

BRONZE WEAPONS & TOOLS

Technology

Any improvement in farming technology will always lead to:1.Improved health2.Increased population3.Increased food surplus4.Increased trade

Specialization of LaborThis food surplus will lead to the development of cities and civilization.Agricultural surpluses made it possible to accumulate wealth, and that led to specialization of labor because not everyone had to raise food to make a living. Some people could specialize in non-agricultural work – (craftsmen or artisans) like making pottery, or becoming priests or government officials -- and be supported by others from the agricultural surplus. Traders also emerged and with them came the inventions of the wheel and the sail.

Transition to VillagesGrowing population resulted

in competition for food.

Transition to villagesEconomic Changes-Irrigation and other

developments produced crop surplus.

Transition to villagesSocial Changes-cooperation was

needed for projectsSocial classes began to emergeReligion became more organized

Jericho (JAIR-uh-koe)

Villages grew near farmlands, and the world’s first known city developed at Jericho in Palestine around 8,000 BC. Walls were built around Jericho to protect its agricultural surplus from nomadic raiders. Warfare, too, might have begun at Jericho.

Jericho

Aleppo

Aleppo is a city located in northern Syria. It is strategically located between the Mediterranean Sea and the Euphrates River- in the Fertile Crescent

Aleppo

View of the excavations undertaken by Professor Kay Kohlmeyer and his team on the Aleppo Citadel.

Civilization

Agriculture made civilization possible. No longer were humans constantly on the move searching for food. People could settle in one place, build cities, and make inventions like the plow, wheel, and writing. The complex societies that resulted are what we call civilization, another wave of history and the start of ancient times.

WHAT IS CIVILIZATION?Complex culture with five

characteristics

1. Advanced cities-center of trade for a larger area.

2. Specialized workers-expert at jobs other than farming

3. Complex institutions-a long lasting pattern of organization in a community

Government, religion and economy became more complex and organized.

CivilizationNot everything about civilization was positive. Complex societies usually meant greater separation of people into classes based on social position or wealth. Civilized societies also tended to be more warlike and more patriarchal (male dominated) than hunter-gatherer bands in which everyone helped to supply food that ensured the group’s survival. Hunting and gathering declined as agriculture became the way most humans made their living. Agriculture became the main source of wealth in most societies until the industrial age.

4. Record Keeping-most developed a system of writing.

Scribes-record keepers Cuneiform-perhaps the oldest system

of writing

Record Keeping

Writing probably began as a way to record business dealings, especially the exchange of agricultural products. Writing was used to track accounts, record time or seasons (calendar) and record laws. Cities and writing are considered the primary indicators of civilization. When people started to write, prehistoric times ended, and historic times began.

WritingWriting began as pictographs which were symbols of objects. Cuneiform writing developed in Sumer and was wedge shaped.Professional record keepers who could read and write were known as Scribes.

5. Advanced Technology-new tools made life easier and work more productive.

Bronze Age-when people began using bronze which was harder than copper or stone tools or weapons.

Social Classes and Religion

Often a wealthy class of aristocrats controlled the land and collected rents from poor farmers. Society became divided between the “haves” and the “have nots.” People in civilized societies divided themselves into unequal social classes with priests and kings at the top, men came to dominate women, and slavery became common.

ReligionReligion became more organized and focused on many nature and animal spirits. People began to develop religious rituals.

Ur, located in Sumer (modern Iraq), was oneof the first civilizations. They built temple

pyramids called ziggurats.

NEOLITHIC REVOLUTIONCIRMCUMSTANCE

Rising temperatures

New farming method-Slash and burn

Domestication of animals

New advanced tools

Made pottery

EFFECTS Steady source of food Support more people Surplus of crops Developed weaving

skills Establishment of

villages and permanent settlements

Humans Overcome Their Environment

Neolithic Era (New Stone Age)• 8000 B.C. to 3000 B.C.• Advanced tools (reshaping or combining

of parts)• Developed agriculture• Domesticated animals• Used advanced tools• Made Pottery• Developed weaving skills

Bronze AgeThe Stone Age was followed by the Bronze Age when people learned to make bronze tools, ornaments, and weapons. Bronze is made by combining copper with tin, which produces a harder metal than copper alone, and it holds an edge much longer. The Bronze Age was a time of great invention; the wheel, plow, writing, money, cities, armies and chariots all came into use during the Bronze Age in Mesopotamia.

KEY TERMS

The time period before written language

PREHISTORY

KEY TERMS A person who roams in search of

food, shelter, and water

NOMAD

KEY TERMS The modern human species that

emerged in Africa between 100,000 and 400,000 years ago.

HOMO SAPIENS

KEY TERMS The Old Stone Age

Paleolithic Era

KEY TERMS The New Stone Age

NEOLITHIC ERA

KEY TERMS Beginning of Permanent Settlements

Settled Agriculture

KEY TERMS A time when people began to live in

permanent settled locations and advanced culturally, politically, and scientifically

Civilization

KEY TERMS The scientific study of the material

remains of a man’s past

ARCHAEOLOGY

KEY TERMS Object remaining

from a time period, such as a tool or pottery.

Artifact

KEY TERMS A scientific test to analyze fossils and

artifacts to determine age.

Carbon Dating

HOMO SAPIENS Homo sapiens migrated from Africa

to Eurasia, Australia, and the Americas

Hunter Gatherer Societies of the Paleolithic Era (Old Stone Age)

Nomadic ( migrated in search of food, water, and shelter)

Invented the first tools and simple weapons

Learned how to make fire Lived in clans and created cave art Developed oral language

Societies during the Neolithic Era (New Stone Age)

Developed Agriculture Domesticated Animals Used advanced tools Made pottery Developed weaving skills

Archaeological Discoveries Are Changing the present day knowledge

of early peoples.Archaeologists study past cultures by

locating and analyzing human remains, fossils, and artifacts.

Archaeologists apply scientific tests such as carbon dating to analyze fossils and artifacts

Stonehenge is an example of an archaeological site in England that was begun during the Neolithic Age and completed during the Bronze Age.

StonehengeThis complex of megaliths (which means large stones of ancient construction) was assembled 4000 years ago on the Salisbury plain in Wiltshire, England. Religious belief and practice inspired its construction and dictated its uses.It was begun during the Neolithic period and completed during the Bronze Age.